I'm a big fan of the 1-4 high or 2-3 high offenses. Like the Princeton offense, it has some great backdoor and misdirection possibilities that are mostly underestimated by alot of people. In my opinion, it's a talent equalizer kind of an offense, especially if you don't have a dominant post and a bunch of skilled (ie. can shoot and make smart plays) but athletically less gifted players.

One coach that uses a lot of 1-4 high or the triple post (ie. triangle) offenses is Geno Auriemma, head coach of the women's team at UConn. I went through some notes that a coach wonderfully put together (I'd love to give them credit specifically but I don't know who made these notes) and took down some of the breakdown drills Coach Auriemma uses to teach the offense. Here they are,

Drill 1:

1 passes to 7 and immediately cuts around 7 looking for a handoff. 2 cut off of 7 next also looking for a handoff. 7 makes the handoff and goes to the basket.The drill continues as 3,4 and 8 step on. *OptionsThe cutters can pull up for a jump shotNeither cutter receives the ball and goes to the corners and the post dribble attacks the basket finishes or kicks.

Drill 2:

1 passes to 4 then cuts through to form a strong side triangle. 7 is in the MID-POST. That is very important. 4 passes into 7 and then cuts looking for handoff or drop pass. If 4 does not recieve the ball then will continue to the corner. As soon as 4 makes its cut, 1 comes off of 4's rear end over the top of 7. 1 looks for the hand off or drop pass. 1 does not get the ball, will continue to the opposite wing. Now 7 has a post move for a score or a post move and kick opposite.*OptionsThe wings can do so many things, and it becomes a read and react. Example: As soon as 4 passes to 7, 1's man turns his head and 1 immediately takes off on a back door move. 4 reads what 1 did and can go toward 7 and then fade for a jumpshot, continue on with regular cut and fill opposite. Most teams just learning will stick to basic cut.

Drill 3:

If the wing is overplayed, 7 will pop to the high post area. As this is happening, 4 takes man up higher and cuts hard backdoor as the ball is in the air to 7. 7 looks to pass to 4 on the backdoor cut and continues to the corner. If not there, 1 comes around 7 for a handoff and goes to the basket or pulls up for the jumpshot. 7 can also attack the basket with a jumpshot or dribble move. 1 and 4 are spotted up for the kickout.

Drill 4:

On the guard to guard pass, 7 steps up to set a backscreen for 1. 4 looks to 1 coming off of the backscreen. 7 then sets a screen for 4.4 can use the screen and has options:a. shoot( we like the ball to get to the elbow)b. pass to 7 on the roll to the basket or the pop.c. pass to 1 for a shot.

4 does not have to use the screen especially if defender is looking to get over the screen early.

Drill 5:

1 passes to 4 and 7 sets the backscreen for 1. This time instead of setting a screen for 4, 7 pops high for a pass back from 4.4 sets a downscreen for 1 who goes to the wing. 4 opens up to the ball and looks for the pass from 7. 7 passes to 1 and receives a backscreen from 4. 1 looks to 7 going to the basket or 4 stepping out for the shot.

Drill 6:

This is where ball reversal begins. This is also the most used option.1 passes to 4 and cuts to the corner to form a strong side triangle. 4 looks inside and then passes to 1. 7 steps up to set a screen for 4. 4 goes all the way through to the corner if she does not receive pass for layup from 1.

7 then plays screen and role with 1. 1 has the option to:a. shootb. hit 7 on the roll or popc. draw and kick to 2d. draw and kick to 4

Drill 7:

Weakside Play

1 passes to 2 and fills the corner spot. 3 goes to the top of the key area. If 3's man is above the three point line, the pass goes to 7 who is flashing at the same time. As the ball is in the air to 7, 3 cuts hard backdoor. 7 looks for the backdoor pass. If 3 does not get the ball, she fills to the corner.

For the drill sake, the perimeter players move in a counter clockwise movement from wing to point to wing.If 3's man is inside the three point line, then 2 passes to 3 and 7 will screen for 3 and play pick and roll.

Summary:

Lots of backdoor cuts, with an open lane. Give and gos, handoffs, and even PNRs. I've even gone through some notes that have a 1-4 high motion continuity that is a patterned offense. 2-3 high is also a good one to use because in my opinion you can use it to overload a side to start which means you can take advantage of weakside opportunities easier. Anyways, hope that helps some of you all as you get ready to start practices.